An online health program that significantly improved the cognitive abilities of older adults could be used to prevent cognitive decline and dementia.

Australian researchers recruited 6000 people between the ages of 55 to 77 and calculated a global cognition score from online tests that measured memory, reasoning and speed of information processing over a three year period.

The landmark trial, which is the largest internet-based study of its kind, found that older adults who used the online health program showed significant improvements in their cognitive abilities.

Led by UNSW researcher Professor Henry Brodaty, the researchers said their findings have international significance.

“This intervention is scalable with the potential for population-level roll out that may delay cognitive decline in the general community,” said Prof. Brodaty.

“We could essentially reduce worldwide dementia prevalence if this trial were implemented to the wider population.”

Participants were recruited from the Australian Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study and while they did not have dementia they carried at least two of the major risk factors for the disease.

The researchers included people from metropolitan, rural and remote areas and split them into two groups, one which was a control group and another who participated in the online program. The researchers then tested both groups at the end of each year.

People in the second group were put on an active intervention program which included personalised coaching in areas such as physical activity, brain training, nutrition or depression and anxiety, while participants in the second group were provided with publicly available material to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Prof. Brodaty said they wanted to assess whether improving lifestyle behaviours could slow cognitive decline.

“The outcome was a resounding yes, we can improve cognition over three years and therefore, likely enhance resilience to dementia,” Prof. Brodaty said.

“Both groups improved but the intervention group demonstrated the greatest benefit to date in a randomised control trial to prevent cognitive decline.”

Additionally, the findings recommend customising the program to each individual and suggests that interventions focused on just one modifiable risk factor, such as physical inactivity, are less effective in preventing dementia.

The trial also showed that younger participants showed significant improvement in test results with aerobic activity, strength training, diet and depression scores standing out.

“Participants aged 55-65 showed greater benefit than those aged 66-77, suggesting we should consider starting prevention programs earlier,” Prof. Brodaty said.

Though the findings are exciting, there were limitations with the trial, such as a lack of ethno-racial diversity among participants and that they were more likely to have a university education, better self-rated quality of life and a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.

Nevertheless, the trial offers new hope for the future of dementia treatment and prevention.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.